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For the report to be symbolically approved, it had to gain a majority in the House of Bishops, House of Clergy and House of Laity.

Dr Cocksworth said that, much to his embarrassment, he managed to "give the impression that there was not complete agreement in the House of Bishops", who voted 43 to one in favour of the report.

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"Due to a moment of distraction and some confusion over the voting process, I pressed the wrong button on my handset, thus registering a vote against taking note rather than a vote for taking note of the report," he said in a statement.

"I have apologised to my colleagues in the House of Bishops and to the Archbishops for my mistake."

The bishop said he was "disappointed" by the outcome of the vote, and that the report was a "valuable road map".

Presented to the General Synod, the report called for the Church to adopt a "fresh tone and culture of welcome and support" for gay people - but not to change its opposition to same-sex marriage.

Under its recommendations, marriage would continue as "a union, permanent and lifelong, of one man with one woman".